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Development Agreements

At Cruso & Wilkin, we recognise that there are multiple routes to unlocking strategic development potential. Our development team advises landowners on the most appropriate strategy for their individual circumstances—whether through partnering with a Land Promoter, self-promoting through the Local Plan process, or engaging in collaboration agreements involving multiple landowners. Working closely alongside our planning contacts, we draw on a breadth of expertise to deliver clear, practical solutions tailored to each opportunity.

We also act on behalf of clients in the disposal of consented sites, with a strong track record across the full spectrum, from small-scale residential greenfield developments to larger mixed-use schemes. Throughout every stage, we liaise closely with our clients' accountants and solicitors to ensure legal and tax matters are addressed efficiently and in their best interest.

Agreements

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Development Agreements

At Cruso & Wilkin, we offer landowners a comprehensive, impartial view of the different approaches to bringing forward development. Whether working with individual clients or coordinating across multiple ownerships, we provide straightforward advice tailored to landowners’ objectives, guiding them through the most suitable contractual frameworks available.

Here's an overview of commonly used structures:

Development Agreements

At Cruso & Wilkin, we offer landowners a comprehensive, impartial view of the different approaches to bringing forward development. Whether working with individual clients or coordinating across multiple ownerships, we provide straightforward advice tailored to landowners’ objectives, guiding them through the most suitable contractual frameworks available.

Here's an overview of commonly used structures:

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Promotion Agreements

Cruso & Wilkin champion the use of Promotion Agreements where landowners wish to retain control and maximise value. These agreements align the promoter’s and landowner’s interests, as both are incentivised to secure the best possible planning consent and market outcome.

We have a strong track record in this area and continue to see this model deliver excellent results for landowners across our region.

The Promotion Agreement incentivises the development partner as they will share in the end value after the costs are invested. This means the more money made by the Promoter the more made by the landowner. The Promoter shall not be entitled to purchase the property upon completion of the promotion process, ensuring that the property is marketed and the value has been maximised for the benefit of all parties.

Promotion Agreements

Cruso & Wilkin champion the use of Promotion Agreements where landowners wish to retain control and maximise value. These agreements align the promoter’s and landowner’s interests, as both are incentivised to secure the best possible planning consent and market outcome.

We have a strong track record in this area and continue to see this model deliver excellent results for landowners across our region.

The Promotion Agreement incentivises the development partner as they will share in the end value after the costs are invested. This means the more money made by the Promoter the more made by the landowner. The Promoter shall not be entitled to purchase the property upon completion of the promotion process, ensuring that the property is marketed and the value has been maximised for the benefit of all parties.

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Consortium Agreements

Consortium or collaboration agreements are commonly used when multiple landowners are involved in the promotion of a larger site. These agreements help eliminate conflict and promote a unified approach to master planning and equalisation.

Option Agreements

Frequently preferred by developers, option agreements give them long-term control while minimising risk. However, they often work against the landowner’s interests particularly where the sale price is calculated as a percentage of market value, incentivising developers to suppress that value. They can however often be the only route to unlock development opportunities.

Hybrid Agreements

A hybrid agreement is part promotion providing the Promoter or Developer the right to require the limited part of the development.

Consortium Agreements

Consortium or collaboration agreements are commonly used when multiple landowners are involved in the promotion of a larger site. These agreements help eliminate conflict and promote a unified approach to master planning and equalisation.

Option Agreements

Frequently preferred by developers, option agreements give them long-term control while minimising risk. However, they often work against the landowner’s interests particularly where the sale price is calculated as a percentage of market value, incentivising developers to suppress that value. They can however often be the only route to unlock development opportunities.

Hybrid Agreements

A hybrid agreement is part promotion providing the Promoter or Developer the right to require the limited part of the development.

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Conditional Contracts

Conditional contracts can suit scenarios where values are expected to remain stable and where a developer requires planning control.

When carefully constructed for instance, are conditional only on the expiry of judicial review periods they can provide a quick route to sale at an agreed price with minimal uncertainty.

Conditional Contracts

Conditional contracts can suit scenarios where values are expected to remain stable and where a developer requires planning control.

When carefully constructed for instance, are conditional only on the expiry of judicial review periods they can provide a quick route to sale at an agreed price with minimal uncertainty.